High or Low

High/low: Rustic garden room

High or Low

High/low: Rustic garden room

We created two variations of the same rustic garden room to prepare you for spring -- can you tell which is high and which is low?

Rusticity reigns in this gorgeous garden room that's got us so geared up for spring, we wanted to create it twice -- on budgets befitting the novice gardeners out there, as well as the horticultural heavyweights.

High/low: Rustic garden room

Garden tools: Scissors and shears

Both China and Japan are renowned for the quality of their blades, so it's easy to see why top gardeners turn to the East for the toughest garden tools, such as scissors and shears. But for us decor aficionados, it also doesn't hurt that their sleek, curvy shapes look as good on display as they do in our hands. 1. Tajika Haruo Ironworks large hand-forged copper scissors, Mjölk, $85. 2. Tajika Haruo Ironworks large hand-forged iron branch and root shears, Mjölk, $140. 3. Hand-forged iron and steel Traditional Chinese scissors, Lee Valley Tools, $17 per set of 4.

High/low: Rustic garden room

Terrariums

Even the most serial of plant killers can keep greenery in a terrarium alive -- set in its own humid eco-system, it requires few waterings, so you and your black thumb can rest easy. Still lack the confidence that you can make plants thrive? Why not enclose and objet you love on a tuft of fresh moss? LEFT: Campo Classics medium naturally mossed terracotta and hand-blown glass terrarium, Campo de' Fiori, $173 US. RIGHT: Small glass Bell Jar cloche and glazed ceramic saucer in Caledon Green, Sheridan Nurseries, $30 and $8.

Buying guide: The truth about thread count

Buying Guides

Buying guide: The truth about thread count

Is there anything better than sliding into a bed laden with good quality sheets? At the end of the day, I can't wait to stretch out under my fresh, soft covers and nestle my face into a good cotton-covered pillow. We spend a third of our lives in bed so quality sheets are key, but how do you get quality for your money? There's no doubt that most consumers believe the higher the thread count, the better the quality, but this isn't entirely true. With the help and expertise of Joanna Goodman, owner of Au Lit Fine Linens, we expose the truth about thread count and what it takes to find quality bed sheets.

What is thread count, really?Simply put, thread count is the number of threads woven into one square inch of fabric. This number is based on the threads woven horizontally ("weft") and vertically ("warp"). Extra threads can also be woven into the weft threads to increase the thread count. These added threads are called "picks" and are added in the overall count, which is how some sheets end up having thread counts in the thousands. This is why the idea that high counts equal better quality isn't really accurate. Consider this: Joanna says most weavers will say the maximum number of threads that can be woven into one square inch of fabric is 500 to 600. Though the number is arguable and, according to Joanna, "depends on the mill you deal with," it gives you an idea of where the line is between single-ply, unpicked weaves and ones that add threads here and there to bump up the count.

What to look for when buying sheetsJoanna lists three things to look for on the label: if it's Egyptian cotton, where it's woven and, lastly, the thread count. While thread count is a bit misunderstood, the buzz around Egyptian cotton is true. "The very best cotton in the world is grown in Egypt. So Egyptian cotton will be of a better quality," Joanna says. She also recommends pima cotton, which is grown in America, "though not quite as exceptional as Egyptian." When it comes to weaving, however, she swears by the Italians as being the "master weavers of the world" due to their "long tradition of weaving" and use of the best Egyptian cotton. Be sure the label says 100% or pure Egyptian cotton though, otherwise it may only contain a small percentage of the good stuff. As for the thread count, look for a minimum of 200. From there, it's all about preference!

What to avoid when buying sheetsJoanna's one key piece of advice is to watch out for extremely low priced, high thread count sheet sets. A complete sheet set with a high thread count for $100 or less is probably not the dream bargain you think it is. As Joanna believes, "you always get what you pay for." The price tag for bed linens will vary depending on the sheet size and what items you're buying, such as a duvet cover, sheet sets, or pillowcases. "A superior quality 200 thread count queen set (including flat, fitted, two pillowcases), made of Egyptian cotton and woven in Europe, could retail reasonably for about $150-$250," says Joanna.

What do you prefer?After going through the quality checklist, go with what feels best for you. If you're looking for a durable linen, Joanna recommends any percale from thread count 200 to 800. Percale is any cotton woven with a 200 thread count or higher and will be more durable than a cotton satin of the same thread count. It's also less likely to pill than cotton satin because it has a denser weave. Love the feel of a cotton button down shirt? Joanna advises a crisp, dense 200 thread count percale. Prefer a silkier sheet? Go for a 300 to 600 cotton satin. If you want lighter sheets, Joanna says, a 400 thread count sheet can be soft and light, while an 800 percale would be soft and dense. The higher the thread count, the more likely multiple-ply thread is used or picks are added, making the fabric denser and heavier.

Now you know that quality is not just about the number, so don't let numbers rule your bed! Remember what to look for on the label and be wary of too-low prices for supposedly high quality items. Beyond that, go with what you prefer. Get a good feel of the sheets before buying. Whether you're unzipping the packaging or lying down on a display bed, make sure the fabric feels good against your skin and soon you'll be having sweet dreams!

Real Estate

How to: Sell your home in winter

Real Estate

How to: Sell your home in winter

Many people believe it’s harder to sell your home in winter than summer. But there are a number of real advantages to selling during the cooler months, says Kathy Monahan, an agent with Forest Hill Real Estate Inc. in Toronto.

For one thing, removed from the sometimes frenzied action of the spring market, sellers can take a little more time to consider offers, and with fewer homes on the market, there’s less competition. And don’t worry, says Kathy: the things that lead people to make new home purchases -- a new job, a growing family, up- or downsizing -- happen all year round, and there are still plenty of buyers out there. In fact, winter is a great time for playing up your home’s cosy, family-friendly charm.

Start with the exteriorAs with any time of year, make sure that the house looks well maintained and cared for, with eavestroughs clean and minor repairs taken care of. While you can’t paint in winter, washing paintwork and siding with warm soapy water on a mild day can make a big difference. Make sure the windows are freshly washed as well; winter light has a way of highlighting grime.

Tend to foliageMake sure that shrubs and tree-branches bent down with snow don’t obstruct walkways or entrances; brush the snow off or prune if necessary. (It won’t hurt them.) Ensure that the walkway is shovelled and ice-free before every showing; not only is this a courtesy and crucial to making the home look well maintained, but if a visitor slips and is hurt, you could be liable for damages.

Adorn the entrywayA wreath on the front door, Christmas lights and a garland hung on the doorframe or front porch present a welcoming entry. Plant urns with festive greenery, the fuller the better: along with cedar or pine boughs, tuck in sprigs of holy, dried berries, magnolia leaves, corkscrew hazel or red osier branches, with silver ball ornaments and perhaps gold wire ribbon woven through the arrangement.

Make a good first impressionOnce a prospective buyer comes inside, remember that you may have only 10 to 15 minutes to make a lasting impression. (A small but crucial point for unoccupied homes: make sure the heat is turned on several hours before the showing. All the window-dressing and staging in the world won’t entice buyers to linger inside a home that’s freezing.)

Light candlesRomance visitors’ sense of smell by lighting fragrant candles or placing bowls of potpourri in main rooms. A time-honoured but still effective trick, especially on a cold winter’s day, is to have a pot of cider simmering on the stove, or cookies or fresh bread baking.

Protect the floorsTo protect your floors, put down rubber mats by the door for snowy boots; buy a few pairs of comfy one-size-fits-all slippers from a department or discount store for visitors to wear while they view your home.

Light a fireIf you have a wood-burning fireplace, light a fire and let it glow during the showing. Put big, colourful poinsettias in each main room, including the kitchen; consider more modest winter flower arrangements or amaryllis blooms in other rooms, such as the bath and master bedroom. Decorate banisters and mantels with pine garlands (natural ones impart a delicious, nostalgic fragrance); a decorated and lit Christmas tree or menorah enhances an image of home and family.

After the holidays, seasonal decorations can be taken down, but urn arrangements and even the front door wreath can stay up for the rest of the winter, if it isn’t too Christmasy in design. Make sure you continue to maintain walkways clear of ice and snow, and think warm thoughts!

All about cheese: Perfect plates and pairings

Food Tips

All about cheese: Perfect plates and pairings

Busy weeknights can sometimes mean that an elaborate
family meal is just not in the cards. Being so, we’ve found ourselves turning to casual
cheese plates for sufficient satiation, and Georgeanne Brennan’s book
Cheese Obsession is full of flavourful inspiration for complete courses, whatever your taste.
Fruit and nutServe richer, more aged cheeses with Seasonal fruits like figs,
pomegranates, grapes,
pears and persimmons to add a bright and flavourful juiciness.

Beer-friendlyPairing beer and cheese can yield a sharp and tangy marriage. Pungent, washed-rind cow’s milk cheeses, such as Fontina, aged
Gouda or Appenzeller, are a terrific choice, as are mild blues and any style of
Cheddar. Nuts, pickles and dried fruits enhance the hops in beer.

Light and herbyA selection of flavourful cheeses, a big
green salad and a crisp
white wine make a light and easy meal. pair an aromatic cheese like an Alsatian Muenster with a nuttier hard type. For a Provençal touch, drizzle goat cheese with a fruity olive oil and then top with fresh herbs.

Cheese cheat sheetWhether you're serving a cheese plater before a sit down dinner or hosting a
wine and cheese party, following this helpful cheat sheet will assit you in creating the perfect platter.

ChoosingYou can serve one carefully chosen
cheese and let its extraordinary qualities shine. But, in general, an assortment of three cheeses offers variety without overwhelming guests. When making your selections, diversity can be created in different ways: cheese age or type (one bloomy rind, one semi-firm, one blue), milk type (one cow’s milk, one goat’s milk, one sheep’s milk), country of origin (one French, one Spanish, one English) or even locale (three from California). Ultimately, you’ll want a range of flavours and textures, from creamy and buttery to crumbly and salty, and a mix of shapes and colours. Choose accompaniments to match the cheese, season and occasion, keeping flavour and texture in mind.
Purchasing and storingCheeses are best freshly cut, so avoid prew rapped pieces when possible. Storing cheese is always a balancing act: cheese must “breathe” or release moisture, but it also needs to stay moist and not dry out. Whenever possible, buy cheeses on the day of serving and keep the wedges at cool room temperature on a board or under a glass dome. When refrigerating, plastic wrap is the common, though imperfect, solution. The cheese won’t breathe, but it also won’t dry out. Use waxed paper for wrapping fresh and soft-ripened cheeses, which need to breathe the most in order to ripen properly.

PresentingA large platter, marble slab or
wooden board can accommodate three or four cheeses. Allow ample room for easy cutting. For a more formal presentation, you can pass individual cheese boards among guests. Give each cheese its own knife, so flavours don’t mingle. Rounded knives are best for spreading luscious, creamy cheeses and sharp knives are ideal for cutting hard, aged cheeses. A cheese knife with tines is perfect for transferring slices to plates.

ServingArrange cheeses so that they are easy to cut, such as laying a wedge on its side. Consider making the first cut yourself, as a guide, slicing so that each piece will have a bit of rind. This helps avoid an empty chunk of rind at the end of serving. Always let cheese come to room temperature before eating it. This may take up to a couple of hours.

PairingWhether served as a savoury tidbit to start or finish a meal or as the star of a casual gathering, cheese is always a versatile offering. Serve it on its own or with accompaniments – spreads, such as chutneys, jams or
tapenades; sweet elements like honeycomb or fresh, dried or candied fruits; or salty bites, such as
olives or nuts and a crusty baguette.

The Perfect Rustic Scandinavian Tablescape For The Holidays

Photo Gallery

How to create a Scandi-rustic holiday tablescape

Rustic Scandi-chic tablescape

A dinner party that has guests raving for days is all in the details. Take this masterfully muted, fashionably festive and quietly romantic rustic Scandinavian tablescape. We love its creamy taupe, linen white and pale minty green colour scheme – a fresh take on tradition topped with subtle seasonal elements like sprigs of fresh evergreen and soft touches of gold. But even better are the elements you don’t notice at first glance like the effortless DIYs that even an uncrafty hostess can easily achieve. Here are the highlights.

By: Maya Visnyei
Source: Maya Visnyei

Sponsored by

How to create a Scandi-rustic holiday tablescape

Chair cheer

You’ve outdone yourself with this year’s holiday tablescape, but don’t overlook your chairs! What a perfect place to underscore your seating arrangement with ready-made mini buntings stencilled with snowflakes. Each topped with a gift tag and a sprig of greenery, the unexpected adornments are an easy way to add extra details that are sure to impress guests.

By: Maya Visnyei
Source: Maya Visnyei

Sponsored by

How to create a Scandi-rustic holiday tablescape

Sleigh away

These sweet place cards are not only wintry and whimsical, they’re also easy and inexpensive to execute: Simply tie a handwritten gift tag to a wooden toy sleigh (which, like the rest of the supplies, can be found at any craft store) with ribbon or yarn that matches your holiday colour scheme. Top it off with two FERRERO ROCHER® chocolates to treat guests with a decadent sweet to enjoy later – and maybe even dub you the host with the most!

By: Maya Visnyei
Source: Maya Visnyei

Sponsored by

How to create a Scandi-rustic holiday tablescape

Wrap star

Candles are key to tabletop mood lighting, but these festive votives look just as fabulous when they’re not lit. Gussied up with burlap wrap effortlessly secured by a tiny tree-shaped clothespin and a deer-stamped strip of cotton, they lend a quintessentially rustic-chic vibe. Frayed edges keep this craft virtually fuss-free but also require the use of battery-powered tea lights rather than open flames.